For those making the summertime drive north to Flagstaff on Interstate 17, there's a hint of what's ahead after ascending the mesa between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. By the time a motorist reaches the Stoneman Lake turnoff, the heat is far in the rearview mirror. (In winter, the transition is equally startling: You'll go from dry, cactus-studded desert to snow-covered alpine country.) Once you arrive, there are plenty of diversions.
Flagstaff (called "Flag" by the locals) is the seat of Coconino County. At an elevation of almost 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is among the highest cities in the U.S. It has a distinct four-season climate and boasts the highest point in the state: 12,643-foot Humphreys Peak.
The city has a vibrant downtown nightlife scene, a host of outdoor and cultural attractions and urban trails and special events focusing on arts and crafts, Native Americans and rodeos that fill the weekend calendars from June through Labor Day.
There are also many outdoor options. They include hiking Mount Humphreys, Mount Elden and Kendrick Peak; experiencing the cool underworld of Lava Cave; fishing at lakes like White Horse, Ashurst and Mary; and one of the best mountain biking trail systems in the world.
History
One of the more commonly told stories about the naming of Flagstaff refers to a hefty pine, stripped of its branches, that was used to hang a U.S. flag for a Fourth of July celebration. The pine was so substantial that people could see it from miles away. Flagstaff became a symbol, a landmark and, ultimately, a name.
This much is true: The inhabitants, sensing that the settlement would last after work crews finish up on the rail line and leave, named the town around 1881. (Thomas F. McMillan, who set up his home in 1876 near a spring, is widely recognized as being the town's first permanent settler.)
The railroad roared into Flagstaff in 1882 and opened the area to the entire East. By 1886, Flagstaff was the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the Pacific coast. The town developed other industries around rail: timber, sheep, cattle.
By 1891, Flagstaff had grown to 1,500 and Coconino County was established, leading to regional headquarters for other governmental offices such as the U.S. Forest Service. Flagstaff soon became the second-largest county seat in the United States.
Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff and its strong visibility to build his observatory in 1894 - which drew international attention in 1930 when the planet Pluto was discovered at the now-famed Lowell Observatory.
The Arizona Teachers College began in 1899, becoming Northern Arizona University in 1966. During the 1920s, Route 66 was built and passed through town, transforming Flagstaff into a popular tourist stop.
Geography
At 7,000-plus feet above sea level, Flagstaff is filled with pine forests and (increasingly dwindling) aspen groves. So diverse is the area that the wilderness ranges from lush woodlands to rugged deserts.
The city is the home of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the U.S. Geological Survey's Flagstaff Field Center. Seven national parks and monuments are located with a 100-mile radius of Flagstaff, including Grand Canyon.
Climate
The weather here can change on a moment's notice. Clear skies can give way to high clouds to rain. For the most part, however, the conditions are mild, the air clean and crisp.
In the summer, the temperatures can climb to the low to mid-90s, with lows reaching the 40s. Bring sunscreen and a light sweater or windbreaker to be on the safe side and drink plenty of water - the dry air can quickly dehydrate you.
In the winter, snow can freeze pipes and make driving hazardous, especially on the highway, where "black ice" can make roads exceptionally slick. At the height of winter, lows can dip to minus-20 and even lower.
Facts
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time year-round. Daylight Saving Time not observed.
Telephone Codes: 928 for Flagstaff and other parts of northern Arizona.
Flagstaff (called "Flag" by the locals) is the seat of Coconino County. At an elevation of almost 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is among the highest cities in the U.S. It has a distinct four-season climate and boasts the highest point in the state: 12,643-foot Humphreys Peak.
The city has a vibrant downtown nightlife scene, a host of outdoor and cultural attractions and urban trails and special events focusing on arts and crafts, Native Americans and rodeos that fill the weekend calendars from June through Labor Day.
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There are also many outdoor options. They include hiking Mount Humphreys, Mount Elden and Kendrick Peak; experiencing the cool underworld of Lava Cave; fishing at lakes like White Horse, Ashurst and Mary; and one of the best mountain biking trail systems in the world.
History
One of the more commonly told stories about the naming of Flagstaff refers to a hefty pine, stripped of its branches, that was used to hang a U.S. flag for a Fourth of July celebration. The pine was so substantial that people could see it from miles away. Flagstaff became a symbol, a landmark and, ultimately, a name.
This much is true: The inhabitants, sensing that the settlement would last after work crews finish up on the rail line and leave, named the town around 1881. (Thomas F. McMillan, who set up his home in 1876 near a spring, is widely recognized as being the town's first permanent settler.)
The railroad roared into Flagstaff in 1882 and opened the area to the entire East. By 1886, Flagstaff was the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the Pacific coast. The town developed other industries around rail: timber, sheep, cattle.
By 1891, Flagstaff had grown to 1,500 and Coconino County was established, leading to regional headquarters for other governmental offices such as the U.S. Forest Service. Flagstaff soon became the second-largest county seat in the United States.
Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff and its strong visibility to build his observatory in 1894 - which drew international attention in 1930 when the planet Pluto was discovered at the now-famed Lowell Observatory.
The Arizona Teachers College began in 1899, becoming Northern Arizona University in 1966. During the 1920s, Route 66 was built and passed through town, transforming Flagstaff into a popular tourist stop.
Geography
At 7,000-plus feet above sea level, Flagstaff is filled with pine forests and (increasingly dwindling) aspen groves. So diverse is the area that the wilderness ranges from lush woodlands to rugged deserts.
The city is the home of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the U.S. Geological Survey's Flagstaff Field Center. Seven national parks and monuments are located with a 100-mile radius of Flagstaff, including Grand Canyon.
Climate
The weather here can change on a moment's notice. Clear skies can give way to high clouds to rain. For the most part, however, the conditions are mild, the air clean and crisp.
In the summer, the temperatures can climb to the low to mid-90s, with lows reaching the 40s. Bring sunscreen and a light sweater or windbreaker to be on the safe side and drink plenty of water - the dry air can quickly dehydrate you.
In the winter, snow can freeze pipes and make driving hazardous, especially on the highway, where "black ice" can make roads exceptionally slick. At the height of winter, lows can dip to minus-20 and even lower.
Facts
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time year-round. Daylight Saving Time not observed.
Telephone Codes: 928 for Flagstaff and other parts of northern Arizona.
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